In this Section

Science

Subject:

Science

Contact:

Mr A Jones

Overview:

Science is studied throughout Key Stage 3 and 4 by all students. Our focus is to deliver lessons on biological, chemical and physical aspects of Science through a varied approach of theory-based and practical hands-on learning. Students will develop confidence in being able to describe, explain and apply scientific ideas as well as building on literacy, numeracy and enquiry skills in every lesson.

KS3

Overview

Students are taught in mixed ability groups in Year 7 and ability groups in Year 8 and 9. During the first two years of Key Stage 3 students are taught Science through ten ‘Big Ideas’ covering Biology, Chemistry and Physics content. In addition, there is also a focus on Science enquiry including practical, analytical and mathematical skill development. In Year 9, the same enquiry skills are built on through the introduction of GCSE content.

All students complete two assessments per half term and these are differed between writing pieces, mathematical tasks or tests to assess for development across the whole topic. Progress is measured across four main indicators being descriptions, explanations, applications and enquiry.

Curriculum content

Term 1

Term 2

Term 3

Year 7

Organisms

(Movement and Cells)

Matter (Particle Model and Separating Mixtures)

Forces

(Speed and Gravity)

Energy

(Costs and Transfer)

Genes (Variation and Human Reproduction)

Reactions (Metals/Non-Metals and Acids/Alkalis)

Earth (Earth Structure and Universe)

Ecosystems (Interdependence and Plant Reproduction)

Electromagnets (Voltage, Resistance and Current)

Waves (Sound and Light)

Year 8

Organisms (Breathing and Digestion)

Matter (Periodic Table and Elements)

Forces (Contact Forces and Pressure)

Energy (Work and Heating/Cooling)

Genes

(Evolution and Inheritance)

Reactions (Chemical Energy and Types of Reaction)

Earth

(Climate and Earth Resources)

Ecosystems (Respiration and Photosynthesis)

Electromagnets (Electromagnets and Magnetism)

Waves

(Effect and Properties)

Year 9

Biology

(AQA Cell Biology and Organisation)

Chemistry

(AQA Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table and Bonding, Structure and the Properties of Matter)

Physics

(AQA Forces and Energy)

Age related milestones

KS4

Overview

Students follow two different pathways at Key Stage 4 depending on outcomes in Year 9. The first, where students achieve ‘Exceeding’ criteria at Key Stage 3, are eligible to study Triple Science (GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics) where students achieve three GCSE qualifications. The second is Combined Science for all other students where two GCSE qualifications will be achieved. Either pathway does not limit choices after Key Stage 4. All work covered continues from the topics covered at Year 9.

Students are taught in ability classes and study either, for the Triple route, AQA GCSE Biology, Chemistry and Physics, or for the Combined Science Route, AQA GCSE Trilogy.

The Science department’s guiding principle is to ensure that all students are fully prepared for external examinations at the end of Year 11 by ensuring that each pupil has the knowledge and skills to succeed. This is achieved through regular exam practice for assessment, practical experience to apply scientific knowledge through up to 30 required experiments and skills based learning building literacy and numeracy skills in Science.

Exam board and course

Triple Science

AQA GCSE Biology (8461)

AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462)

AQA GCSE Physics (8463)

Combined Science

AQA Combined Science: Trilogy (8464)

Curriculum content

All students, irrespective of following the Triple or Combined route cover the same topics. However, there is more in-depth content in Triple Science.